JACFC Div 1 rel play-off: Navan O'Mahony's survive

Jack Bellamy keeps possession for Navan O'Mahony's during their JACFC Div 1 relegation play-off against St. Colmcilles

Navan O’Mahony’s 2-13
St Colmcilles 2-09

Navan O’Mahony’s secured their place in the JACFC Div 1 for 2027, withstanding a comeback from St Colmcilles who were held to a single score in the first half and came out fighting in the second.

O’Mahony’s started well with good scores from Hugo Fitzherbert, Jack McConnell and Hugh Clarke-Carolan. Midway through the half, St Colmcilles equalised with a goal. The next fifteen minutes saw O’Mahony’s edge ahead again by four, with all scores including a two-pointer from Jack Bellamy’s boot.

Bellamy pushed O’Mahony’s further ahead almost instantly on the resumption but within five minutes, the visitors had lifted their game and reduced the gap to one with a goal and a point. Two minutes later, two scores from St Colmcilles meant they were winning for the first time in the match.

Evan Cully kicked an impressive point to draw things level before Kilian Clarke-Doggett pushed his side ahead again. It wasn’t to last however, with St Colmcilles racing forward and taking the lead entering the final quarter. Niall Devli pulled off an impressive save at this point, with great support from Dean Halpin, Andy Leech and Craig Nolan throughout the sixty minutes. With ten minutes to go, St Colmcilles led by three before Clarke-Carolan rattled the net and gave O’Mahony’s hope.

Within a minute, Eoin Joyce proved the hero with a pin-point accurate pass to Sean Smyth who was one-on-one with the keeper and gave O’Mahony’s a three point lead. Andy Leech and Smyth added scores, with the visitors also getting one before the final whistle, keeping O’Mahony’s safe.

Navan O’Mahony’s: Niall Devlin, Ian Matthews, Craig Nolan, Adam Fagan, Andy Leech, Dean Halpin, Hugh Clarke-Carolan, Evan Cully, Hugo Fitzherbert, Jack Flynn, Eoin Joyce, Max Farrelly, Jack McConnell, Jack Bellamy, Ciaran Wickham

Subs: Kilian Clarke-Doggett for Matthews, Tiarnán Black for McConnell, Sean Smyth for Cully, Cillian Roe forFarrelly, Conor Gleeson for Clarke-Carolan